One Week Later:
Tasha was starting to feel better and had settled into the routine of being on the road with Jon and Joe. Her ribs were still pretty sore; she was amazed each day at what color her bruises had turned. Jon and Joe were still trying to baby her, but she wasn't giving in as easily as she had during the first week. She had thankfully taken over the cooking situation; between Jon repeatidly burning things, and Joe being able to only boil water; make sandwiches and cook a steak, they needed actual food cooked. They seemed truly grateful for it; and it made Tasha feel like she wasn't just hanging around and taking up space. Joe was a truly sweet guy; he had become the big brother Tasha never had. Jon had taken on the self-imposed role as her protector; sometimes it seemed she couldn't be gone for more than 2 minutes without him coming to look for her. Tasha was fine with that; it was nice knowing she had some safety around her. At times, Tasha would catch him looking at her and she would chuckle as soon as he would swerve his head away like he hadn't been. Of course the new running joke was about how they had "slept together"; always made when Joe was just out of earshot, neither of them knew he had seen the two of them that morning. She had made one trip to the arena with them; but it wasn't quite the same as it had been. Instead of walking down the hall smiling and saying hello to people; Jon and Joe snuck her in like they were smuggling something illegal. Checking the hallways to make sure Colby wasn't around; strongly requesting that she stay in their dressing room and not come out. Only telling a few close people that she was there and even then; making them swear that they wouldn't let it get around backstage. When they had to leave the dressing room for their match, they had Nattie and Brie Bella sitting in there with her. Colby had taken away more than even she could have imagined that morning.
Jon had already made the plans for the trip to Vegas; and the plans that Tasha would be joining him. He didn't care if she found a place before then, she was going. He wasn't letting her go anywhere else until he was sure Colby had gotten his and knew not to go near her again. Every day he looked forward to waking up and seeing her; if she was gone from a room too long, he went looking for her. There was part of him who hoped each night she would have an awful nightmare so he could swoop in and protect her. It frustrated him, but in a good way. He racked his brain constantly for the answer to the question, what made this woman different from all the others. He had never been this obessed with anyone and it was bordering on obsession. He wanted to see that face; especially when she was smiling, something about that smile just made him want to do the same. Yet he could see sadness in her; had been trying to hide it over the last week, and if you didn't know Tasha you probably wouldn't notice it. Jon noticed it; he wasn't surprised, but he wanted so badly to rip it out of her.
Nattie had come over later that morning for a visit and as she sat with Joe the table; she watched Jon silently fidget on the couch; waiting for Tasha to shower and change. She grinned and nudged Joe; pointing in the direction of the other man. "Is he always like this about Tasha?" Truly wanting to chuckle about it; the usually laid back Jon was acting more like his in ring persona than normal.
"Oh yeah, you should see it; he follows her around everywhere like a lost puppy! I've never seen anything quite like it. I'm positive he has not figured it out yet; he has no clue that he is falling hard for her. The funniest part is; I'm pretty sure it's happening in a more subtle way on her end to. If she can't find him right off; she asks what he's off doing. It's like watching two young kids who like each other; he'll tease her about something; she'll tease back. He'll find a reason to touch her somehow and she'll ruffle his hair all up for no reason. It's kind of cute." Joe replied with a grin of his own. "I think it will be a while before either of them realize it. Tasha has to deal with a lot of emotional stuff I think before she could even think about another relationship and Jon; he's got a lot of demons about relationships before I think he'll be able to have a decent one. Who knows maybe helping her get through her stuff, will help him deal with his." Nattie and Joe both watched him immediately stop fidgeting the moment the door to her bedroom had opened and she came out. Later in the day Joe decided to hit the gym, leaving Jon with Tasha.
"So sweetheart, what would you like to do this afternoon?" Jon gave her that smile that made her smile back, no matter how she was feeling. "We could play a board game we don't have; I could make some toast and we could enjoy the fire department showing up…what do you feel up for?"
"Please no fire department or burnt toast! The smell lingers in the room for hours! Honestly, I'd really like to get out of the hotel room. I don't even care what we do; I need some fresh air and to walk around like a normal person. I'm getting stir crazy in the hotel. Maybe a late lunch, or catch a movie; a walk around the block even sounds good right now."
"Awww…Are you asking me out?" Jon grinned. "Cause I'm not sure I have anything to wear, I know I don't have shoes that will go with any of my outfits."
"What a shame! Well I guess I could make an exception on my very strict dress code this one time; if you get me out of this place for a little while." Tasha grinned back, thinking there was nothing wrong with the blue jeans, white t-shirt and hoodie sweatshirt he was wearing now. It fit his personality; laid back, going with the flow.
"Alright sweetheart; I don't see a reason why we couldn't go out for a while. I'll be with you and I'm sure you are going nuts in here. It doesn't bother Joe and I; were used to hanging out in the hotel rooms, easier than going out and being mugged by fans. Let's go, we'll figure something out as we walk around." He watched that wonderful smile form on her face as she went and grabbed her purse. Once she was ready they headed out for the afternoon. He did call Joe and leave him a message; just so he wouldn't be concerned when he got back to the hotel. Once they hit the sidewalk outside the hotel; he watched as she tilted her head up and shut her eyes; enjoying the feel of the sunshine on her face. He noticed that when the sun hit her hair in the right way, he could see red highlights that you normally didn't see. She was beautiful even with random bruises. They casually walked down the street and talked. "I'm just now realizing that I really don't know very much about you Tasha. I guess it's because you were always just Colby's girlfriend; didn't really need to know anything other than that and you were a great person."
Tasha smiled, "I know that feeling; I don't know a whole lot about you either. As for just being Colby's girlfriend; I think for a while, that's all I was. That was such a huge part of my life for so long; I guess I didn't really do much else. It's sad now that I think about it; I could have been doing something for myself during the times he was on the road, and I didn't. It was all about him." Tasha frowned thinking about that. It wasn't how she had really planned on living her life; it just happened. "But we can get to know each other now, ask away!" She said pulling herself out of her pity party.
"What's your favorite color?" Jon thought he might as well start with the basics.
"My favorite color is Red, what about your favorite color?" Tasha grinned.
"Black" he responded quickly.
"Jon, Black isn't really a color; it's the absence of color." Tasha said while shaking her head.
"Alright; my favorite color is a really dark, navy blue that looks black." Jon said with a straight-face.
Tasha rolled her eyes at him and tried very hard to keep from laughing at him. This went back and forth for a few hours; the two of them learning more about each other. Everything from favorite foods to their opinions on different subjects in the news; time just seemed to fly past without them knowing. It wasn't until Joe called wondering if they had fled the state, that they had realized it was getting late. Joe also told them he would meet them in the lobby because he was starving. Once they reached the hotel they grabbed Joe and took the SUV to a diner. They returned to the hotel and Joe turned in for the night. Tasha and Jon sat watching TV; she looked over at him. He was handsome in an unconventional way, which she liked. His hair usually was in his face and looked like he had just rolled out of bed; He had amazing blue eyes and she loved the way he dressed. "What?" He asked, snapping her out of her own little world. She turned bright red, realizing she had been caught staring at him.
"I was just going to tell you I had a good time this afternoon; thanks!" Tasha smiled, mostly because she was happy; but also because she had come up with a brilliant way out of her embarrassment. He seemed to buy that excuse and smiled back.
"I'm glad, I had a good time to; even if you did critasize my choice of a favorite color." Jon grinned. "Hey, speaking of favorite colors; I know why yours is red."
"Oh? Why is my favorite color red?" She looked at him curiously.
"Because it looks good on you," Jon reached out a hand and brushed it against her blushing cheeks lightly. "Good night Tasha." Without saying another word he turned and headed off to his room, closing the door behind himself. Tasha blushed more; touching her own cheek where his hand had been. What just happened?
Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who has started following this story! I hope everyone is enjoying it as much as I am writing it.
